Operation interface for exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses an operation interface configured to couple to an exercise apparatus for controlling workout parameters of the exercise apparatus, the exercise apparatus comprising a central processing unit and an exercise unit, the central processing unit receiving a controlling signal from the operation interface for controlling the workout parameters of the exercise apparatus, the operation interface comprising: a plurality of grouped selection keys coupled to the central processing unit, each of the grouped selection keys respectively associated with a predetermined workout parameter; and a confirmation key outputting the controlling signal to the central processing unit upon being pressed; wherein the confirmation key is surrounded by the grouped selection keys, the exercise apparatus being adjusted to correspond to the predetermined workout parameter via the controlling signal while one of the grouped selection keys and the confirmation key are both pressed by a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an operation interface, and more particularly to an operation interface configured in an exercise apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

With growth industry, people always invest too much time in their works so as to reduce the exercise time, but a regular exercise schedule is very helpful for health. Therefore, the exercise apparatus with small occupied space has been popular for everyone such as the treadmill, the exercise bike, the elliptical machine, the stepper etc. Each exercise apparatus has different exercise functions, and each exercise apparatus comprises an operation interface for adjust the workout parameters of the exercise apparatus, therefore the layout of the operation interface is an important issue.

The traditional exercise apparatus is not easy to adjust the workout parameter of the exercise apparatus or operates other related functions during operation period because the user can not know which button or key can adjust the workout parameter of the exercise apparatus. Furthermore, the user still has no idea to press which key or button to confirm the adjustment of the workout parameter.

In addition, referring to FIG. 1, another traditional operation interface of the exercise apparatus comprises some selection keys of workout parameter arranged in an order of lateral line and a confirmation key located on the right side of the operation interface for workout parameters setting. Due to the arrangement of the selection keys, each distance between the selection keys and the confirmation key has different length so that the user may move his/her arm for a long distance to press one of the selection keys to adjust workout parameter. The long distance operation may cause more difficulty of operation or occur injury easily during operation period, especially in high speed or resistance operation status.

By using the aforementioned arrangement of the selection keys and the confirmation key, user can not instinctively understand which key is the confirmation key after pressing one of the selection keys, which is very inconvenient for the user during operation period of the exercise apparatus.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved operation interface for exercise apparatus to mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an operation interface configured to couple to an exercise apparatus for controlling workout parameters of the exercise apparatus, the exercise apparatus comprising a central processing unit and an exercise unit, the central processing unit receiving a controlling signal from the operation interface for controlling the workout parameters of the exercise apparatus, the operation interface comprising: a plurality of grouped selection keys coupled to the central processing unit, each of the grouped selection keys respectively associated with a predetermined workout parameter; and a confirmation key outputting the controlling signal to the central processing unit upon being pressed; wherein the confirmation key is surrounded by the grouped selection keys, the exercise apparatus being adjusted to correspond to the predetermined workout parameter via the controlling signal while one of the grouped selection keys and the confirmation key are both pressed by a user. Furthermore, the grouped selection keys form an internal geometry area, and the confirmation key locates at the internal geometry area. Due to the arrangement of the plurality of grouped selection keys and the confirmation key, the user will press the confirmation key directly and instinctively after pressing one of the grouped selection keys capable of saving time for searching the confirmation key so as to operate the exercise apparatus more convenience.

Furthermore, the internal geometry area is preferably a circle, and the confirmation key locates at the center of the circle. Therefore, linear distances between the confirmation key and each of the grouped selection keys are substantially equal. Accordingly, the user only should move his/her arm for a short distance for pressing the confirmation key for adjusting the workout parameters of the exercise apparatus without changing any exercising pose. In addition, this present invention not only can increase the comfort of operation, but also prevent the sport injury.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the console according to the prior art.

FIG. 2 illustrates the operation interface of the present invention applied with a console.

FIG. 3 shows a left side respective view of a console with operation interface of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the console coupled to a treadmill.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the console according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the operation method according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a respective view of a operation interface for the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please refer to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, there are three operation interfaces 11,12,13 coupled to an exercise apparatus for controlling the workout parameters and other predetermined programs of the exercise apparatus, wherein the exercise apparatus is preferably a treadmill 100. Referring to FIG. 4, the treadmill 100 comprises a central process unit 101, a movable member 102 and a console 105; the central process unit 101 disposes inside the console 105 and electrically connects to the operation interfaces 11,12,13 for receiving a controlling signal from the operation interface 11,12,13 for controlling the workout parameters of the treadmill 100. For example, while the user presses the operation interfaces 11, the operation interface 11 will output a controlling signal to the central processing unit 101 for controlling the operation status of the treadmill 100 such as the speed, or the incline of the movable member 102. In this embodiment, the treadmill 100 further comprises a display device 15 for displaying the operation status of the treadmill 100.

Referring to FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the treadmill 100 comprises three operation interfaces 11,12,13 mounted on the console 105 showed in FIG. 4, and each operation interface corresponds to different workout parameter respectively. The operation interface 11 corresponds to the speed; the operation interface 12 corresponds to the incline; and the operation interface 13 corresponds to the predetermined programs. Please also refer to FIG. 6, when the user starts to operate the treadmill 100, the user should select an operation interface on the console 105 for adjusting workout parameter (Step S01). Due to the similar operating method of the control interfaces 11,12,13, this embodiment will only describe the operation interface 11 thereinafter for an example. In this embodiment, the operation interface 11 comprises a plurality of grouped selection keys 110˜119 and a confirmation key 21. If the user wants to adjust the operation speed of the movable member 102, the user should press one of the grouped selection key 110˜119 corresponding to an operation speed value of desired change (Step S02). The operation interface 11 uses to control the operation speed of the movable member 102, and the grouped selection keys 110˜119 only use to select the operation speed of the movable member 102 so that each selection key associates with a predetermined value of speed parameter.

The grouped selection keys 110˜119 can form an internal geometry area, preferably, but not limited to areas such as circle, elliptical, triangle, or rectangle. In addition, the quantity of the selection keys is preferably over and above three because three or more points can form an internal geometry area 120. In this embodiment, the internal geometry area 120 formed by the grouped selection keys 110˜119 preferably is a circle, and the confirmation key 21 correspondingly locates at the center of the circle. For instance, the operation interface 11 comprises ten selection keys 110˜119 respectively corresponding to ten different speed parameters such as 1 to 10 (mile/hr) for the user to adjust the operation speed of the movable member 102.

In the embodiment showed in FIG. 5, linear distances between the confirmation key 21 and each of the grouped selection keys 110˜119 are substantially equal because the confirmation key 21 respectively locates at the center of internal geometry area 120. Because the selection keys group around the operation interface 11, the user will not move his/her arm for a long distance to press the key of desired change so as to prevent inconvenience during operation period.

In addition, after pressing one of the grouped selection keys 110˜119 of desired change, and then the user should press the confirmation key 21 for outputting a controlling signal to the central processing unit 101. Upon the confirmation key 21 being pressed by the user, the current workout parameter changes immediately (Step S03). In this embodiment, because the confirmation key 21 locates within the internal geometry area 120 formed by the grouped selection keys 110˜119, the user will press the confirmation key 21 directly and instinctively for adjusting the operation speed of the movable member 102 after pressing one of the grouped selection keys 110˜119. Due to the arrangement of the grouped selection keys 110˜119 and the confirmation key 21, the user will feel more convenient and comfortable during operation period of the treadmill 100.

Furthermore, the location of the confirmation key 21 is not limited to locate within the internal geometry area 120 formed by the grouped selection keys 110˜119. Referring to FIG. 7, the location of the confirmation key 51 may also partially overlap the internal geometry area 520. Although the confirmation 51 is not completely within the internal geometry area 520 formed by the grouped selection keys 510˜519, it also locates near the grouped selection keys 510˜519. Because the confirmation key 51 and the internal geometry area 520 are partially overlapped, it is defined that the confirmation key 51 is still surrounded by the grouped selection keys 510˜519. Therefore, the user still can press the confirmation key directly and instinctively after pressing one of the grouped selection keys 510˜519.

Furthermore, the adjusting of workout parameter may be highly frequent because different workout phases (ex: warm up, exercising, and cooling down) need different operation speed values of the movable member 102 to match the user demand in different workout phases. Therefore, when the user press one of the grouped selection keys 110˜119 and the confirmation key 21 to adjust operation speed of the movable member 102, the user will determine whether the current operation speed of the movable member 102 is suitable for the user or not (Step S04). If the new operation speed of the movable member 102 is not suitable for the user, the user continues to select a new operation speed value (Step S02) until the operation speed of the movable member 102 becomes suitable for the user.

During exercising period, the user usually changes the operation speed of movable member 102 for achieving the user demand in different workout phases. If the linear distances between the confirmation key 21 and the grouped selection keys 110˜119 are too long, the user should move his/her arm for a long distance to adjust the workout parameter. This may be capable of occurring sports injury. Therefore, the grouped selection keys of this present invention can resolve the aforementioned problems, and one operation interface corresponds to a single workout parameter for user capable of preventing misunderstanding about operation method of the operation interface.

In addition, the treadmill 100 still has two operation interfaces 12,13. Due to the operation method similar to the operation interface 11, description of interfaces 12,13 thereinafter only describes the function of the two operation interfaces. In the embodiment showed in FIG. 5, the operation interface 12 is to control the incline of the movable member 102, and each selection key corresponds a predetermined incline value, for example, the operation interface 12 comprises ten selection keys respectively corresponding to ten incline value such as 1 to 10 (degree) for the or a user to adjust the incline of the movable member 102; the operation interface 13 is to control the predetermined programs of the treadmill 100 such as music playing, personal sports module, or simulation environment changing.

For exercise apparatus, two workout parameters, speed and incline, are frequently changed by the user during operation period. Therefore, the speed parameter and the incline parameter respectively corresponds to a operation interface for user to adjust the workout parameter more easily, and the other preset programs such as personal operation module, environment simulating, or other related programs would integrate to an operation interface for user to control other programs such as the operation interface 13 of this present invention.

Further, the operation interface of this present invention respectively corresponds to different workout parameters, and the grouped selection keys group around the operation interface for user to distinctly select a workout parameter of desired change during operation period capable of saving time for recognizing how many functions on a selection key.

From abovementioned, the user can press the confirmation key located at the center of the circle directly and instinctively after pressing one of the grouped selection keys capable of saving time for searching the confirmation key so as to operate the exercise apparatus more convenient. Furthermore, a plurality of the grouped selection keys forms an internal geometry area, and the confirmation key locates at the internal geometry area. Therefore, linear distances between the confirmation key and each of the grouped selection keys are substantially equal. Accordingly, the user only should move his/her arm for a short distance for pressing the confirmation key to adjust the workout parameters of the exercise apparatus without changing any exercising pose. In addition, this present invention not only can increase the comfort of operation, but also can prevent the sport injury.

Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An operation interface configured to couple to an exercise apparatus for controlling workout parameters of the exercise apparatus, the exercise apparatus comprising a central processing unit and an exercise unit, the central processing unit receiving a controlling signal from the operation interface for controlling the workout parameters of the exercise apparatus, the operation interface comprising: a plurality of grouped selection keys coupled to the central processing unit, each of the grouped selection keys respectively associated with a predetermined workout parameter; and a confirmation key outputting the controlling signal to the central processing unit upon being pressed; wherein the confirmation key is surrounded by the grouped selection keys, the exercise apparatus being adjusted to correspond to the predetermined workout parameter via the controlling signal while one of the grouped selection keys and the confirmation key are both pressed by a user.
 2. The operation interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operation interface corresponds to a single workout parameter.
 3. The operation interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the workout parameter is a speed parameter.
 4. The operation interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the workout parameter is an incline parameter.
 5. The operation interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein linear distances between the confirmation key and each of the grouped selection keys are substantially equal.
 6. The operation interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grouped selection keys forms an internal geometry area, and the confirmation key locates within the geometry area.
 7. The operation interface as claimed in claim 6, wherein the internal geometry area is a circle, and the confirmation key locates at the center of the circle.
 8. An operation interface configured to couple to an exercise apparatus for controlling workout parameters of the exercise apparatus, the exercise apparatus comprising a central processing unit and an exercise unit, the central processing unit receiving a controlling signal from the operation interface for controlling the workout parameters of the exercise apparatus, the operation interface comprising: a plurality of grouped selection keys coupled to the central processing unit, each of the grouped selection keys respectively associated with a predetermined workout parameter; and a confirmation key outputting the controlling signal to the central processing unit upon being pressed; wherein the grouped selection keys forms an internal geometry area, and the location of the confirmation key overlaps the internal geometry area, the exercise apparatus being adjusted to correspond to the predetermined workout parameter via the controlling signal while one of the grouped selection keys and the confirmation key are both pressed by a user.
 9. The operation interface as claimed in claim 8, wherein the operation interface corresponds to a single workout parameter.
 10. The operation interface as claimed in claim 8, wherein the workout parameter is a speed parameter.
 11. The operation interface as claimed in claim 8, wherein the workout parameter is an incline parameter.
 12. The operation interface as claimed in claim 8, wherein linear distances between the confirmation key and each of the grouped selection keys are substantially equal. 